Sacrifice and Submission

Proverbs 31:23 in the New Living Translation says "Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders."

I surely never thought it could happen to me, but I married this man. The man who is known throughout the city and sits and meets with the other civic leaders (constantly). The man who has a passion to serve his community and to do whatever he can to ensure that African Americans have equal footing in society. The man that works hard all day everyday so that he can provide for his family. That is my husband. 

But it often comes up in discussions, as to whether or not, you can be this MAN and spend time with your family. Can this MAN have a work life balance? Or is it up to his family, to understand his passion and make the sacrifice of not spending time with him now, so that they can have all the time to spend together later? 

I read a portion of a book called Game Change, about the campaign life of President Barack Obama. And before it all started Barack Obama knew that he needed to convince his wife, Michelle, that running for president would not interfere with their family time. And she asked "Can he be home for Sunday dinner?". A seemingly simple request. One day a week, to spend time with his family and eat dinner. Yet a member of his campaign team recalls thinking "No, he can't be home for Sunday dinner. He's running for president." 

Now, while my husband isn't running for president of the United States, he does hold some very important positions throughout the city. Which do call for, at times, sacrifice and submission. Sacrificing time and submitting to the man that God purposed my husband to be. 

While I may not like having to eat dinner with our daughter alone, or try to keep a curious toddler quiet while he's on an important conference call, or wait for him to finish his meeting and the meeting after the meeting, and the debrief after that meeting, just to have a conversation with him. I know that God has created him for such a time as this. And God placed me in his life to help him along the way. That doesn't necessarily mean attending meetings and the like, but simply understanding what he is trying to do. Praying for him everyday. And submitting to the man that God has placed in position of authority over me. 

Whether being married to the MAN that sits at the city gates and meets with other civic leaders or the MAN who works at the grocery store gathering carts, we have to remember there will come a time for sacrifice and submission. And if you don't know how, just ask the Holy Spirit :)